Intraocular Lens

ABSTRACT

An IOL having an optic and a peripheral stabilizing ring. The optic and the ring are connected by a flexible bridge. An area on the ring coinciding with a feature on the optic helps to locate the optic within the ring in an unstressed state until the capsular bag collapses and locks the optic into place.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of intraocular lenses(IOL) and, more particularly, micro-incision IOLs.

The human eye in its simplest terms functions to provide vision bytransmitting light through a clear outer portion called the cornea, andfocusing the image by way of a crystalline lens onto a retina. Thequality of the focused image depends on many factors including the sizeand shape of the eye, and the transparency of the cornea and the lens.

When age or disease causes the lens to become less transparent, visiondeteriorates because of the diminished light which can be transmitted tothe retina. This deficiency in the lens of the eye is medically known asa cataract. An accepted treatment for this condition is surgical removalof the lens and replacement of the lens function by an artificialintraocular lens (IOL).

In the United States, the majority of cataractous lenses are removed bya surgical technique called phacoemulsification. During this procedure,an opening is made in the anterior capsule and a thinphacoemulsification cutting tip is inserted into the diseased lens andvibrated ultrasonically. The vibrating cutting tip liquifies oremulsifies the lens so that the lens may be aspirated out of the eye.The diseased lens, once removed, is replaced by an artificial lens.

For many years, IOLs were made from a hard plastic, such aspolymethylmethacrylate. As the optic of the IOL had a diameter of 5.5 mmto 6.5 mm, implanting the IOL required that the incision into the eye beenlarged to a size sufficient to allow the IOL to pass into the anteriorchamber of the eye. Such a large incision can induce a distortion in thecornea, or induced astigmatism, post-operatively. More recently, IOL'shave increasing been made from soft, foldable materials, such assilicone and soft acrylics. These foldable materials allow the IOL to beimplanted through incisions that are generally less than 3 mm. Even therelatively small incision required for implantation of foldable IOLs caninduce post-operative astigmatism, so there has been a desire to developIOLs that can be implanted through even smaller incisions, on the orderof 2 mm or less.

From a practical standpoint, there are limits on how small an IOL can bemade. For example, the IOL generally must have an optic having adiameter of about 5.5 mm or greater for optimum optical performance. Inaddition, the IOL must be provided in a large range of optical powers,up to 30 diopters or more. These large powers limit how thin the opticcan be made. Of course, increasing the refractive index of the materialused to make the optic allows for a thinner optic. Current materials anddesigns permit the manufacture of very thin optics, having an extremelythin, almost knife-like, edge thickness. These extremely thin lenses,however, tend to be unstable and distort when implanted within thecapsular bag, requiring an encircling ring or equatorial band to beinserted into the capsular bag to help stabilize the capsular bag. Thering component of the IOL can be formed integrally with the optic orimplanted as a separate component. If the ring is a separate component,the surgical procedure is increased in complexity because two separatedevices, the ring and the optic must be inserted into the eye, assembledand properly located within the capsular bag. Prior to the presentinvention, if the ring component is integrally formed with the optic,undesirable size and bulk is added, increased the require size of theincision.

Therefore, a need continues to exist for a safe and stable intraocularlens system that can be inserted through a very small incision and doesnot require assembly within the eye.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention improves upon the prior art by providing an IOLhaving an optic and a peripheral stabilizing ring. The optic and thering are connected by a flexible bridge. An area on the ring coincidingwith a feature on the optic helps to locate the optic within the ring inan unstressed state until the capsular bag collapses and locks the opticinto place.

Accordingly, one objective of the present invention is to provide a safeand biocompatible intraocular lens.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a safe andbiocompatible intraocular lens that is easily implanted in the posteriorchamber.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a safeand biocompatible intraocular lens that is stable in the posteriorchamber.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a safeand biocompatible lens system that can be implanted through a smallincision.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a safeand biocompatible lens system that helps reduce the incidence of PCO.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a safeand biocompatible lens system for use in cataract and/or clear lensexchange surgeries.

These and other advantages and objectives of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description and claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a first embodiment of the lensof the present system.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of thelens of the present system taken at line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a second embodiment of thelens of the present system.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a secondembodiment of the lens of the present system taken at line 4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a third embodiment of the lensof the present system.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a third embodimentof the lens of the present system taken at line 6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a fourth embodiment of thelens of the present system in an unlocked position.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a fourthembodiment of the lens of the present system taken at line 8-8 in FIG.7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a fourth embodiment of thelens of the present system similar to FIG. 7, but illustrating the lensin a locked position.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a fifth embodiment of thelens of the present system in an unlocked position.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a fifth embodiment of thelens of the present system similar to FIG. 10, but illustrating the lensin a locked position.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a fifthembodiment of the lens of the present system taken at line 12 in FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a fifthembodiment of the lens of the present system similar to FIG. 12, butillustrating an alternative locking mechanism.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a sixth embodiment of thelens of the present system illustrating the lens in a locked position.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a sixthembodiment of the lens of the present system taken at line 15 in FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a sixth embodiment of thelens of the present system, similar to FIG. 14, but illustrating thelens in an unlocked position.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged prospective view of a sixth embodiment of thelens of the present invention illustrating the lens in a stretched andelongated form, suitable for implantation through a small incision.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, lens 100 of the present inventiongenerally includes optic 110 and support ring 112. Optic 110 isconnected to support ring 112 by bridge 114. Tab 116 is attached tooptic 110 opposite bridge 114 so as to cooperate with correspondinglocating feature 118 on support ring 112. Locating feature 118 isintegrally molded with support ring 112 and in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, consists of bumps or protuberances projectinginwardly from support ring 112 and toward optic 110. Support ring 112 ispreferably formed in any suitable overall diameter, for example, betweenapproximately 8.0 millimeters and 12.0 millimeters, a suitable interiordiameter, for example, between approximately 6.0 millimeters and 8.5millimeters and made from a soft, foldable material such as a softacrylic, rubber elastomers, hydrogel or silicone. By way of example,support ring 112 may be made of rubber elastomers, such as butyl rubber,latex rubber, natural rubber, pure gum rubber, neoprene rubber,acrylonitrile rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene dienemonomer rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) rubber,epichlorohydrin rubber, hypalon rubber, silicone rubber and siloxaneelastomers, such as poly(dimethylsiloxane), polyurethane rubber, vitonrubber, ethylene-butylene rubber, isobutylene rubber and elastomers ofpolyphosphazenes, likepoly(bis-trifluorethoxyphosphazene)oly(dimethylphosphazene) andpoly(phenylmethylphosphazene). Preferably, support ring 112 may beformed so as to be opaque, such as by frosting or texturing the anteriorand/or posterior surfaces of support ring 112, or support ring 112 maybe relatively clear. Support ring 112 may also contain a chromophore toblock ultraviolet and/or blue and/or green light, such chromophore(s)being well-known in the art.

Optic 110 is generally circular having a diameter for example, betweenapproximately 4.0 millimeters and 7.0 millimeters. Optic 110 tapers frombeing relatively thick in the middle to having a relatively thin, orsharp, edge and is preferably integrally formed with and from the samematerial as support ring 112. Optic 110 may also a chromophore to blockultraviolet and/or blue light, such chromophore(s) being well-known inthe art, but unlike support ring 112, which may be opaque, optic 110 isoptically clear. Tab 116 is also integrally formed with optic 110opposite bridge 114.

When lens 100 is implanted in an eye, tab 116 and feature 118 help tocenter optic 110 in an unstressed state within ring 112 until lens 100becomes naturally fixated within the eye. The construction of tab 116and feature 118, allows the lens to be elongated and reduced incross-section, as illustrated in FIG. 17, for implantation through arelative small (2.4 mm or less) incision.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, lens 200 of the present inventiongenerally includes optic 210 and support ring 212. Optic 210 isconnected to support ring 212 by bridge 214. Tab 216 is attached tosupport ring 212 opposite bridge 214 so as to cooperate withcorresponding locating feature 218 on optic 210. Tab 216 is integrallymolded with support ring 212. Support ring 212 is of construction andmaterials similar to support ring 112.

Optic 210 is of construction and materials similar to optic 110. Feature218 is integrally formed with optic 210 opposite bridge 214 and in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, consists of bumps or protuberancesprojecting outwardly from optic 210 and toward tab 216.

When lens 200 is implanted in an eye, tab 216 and feature 218 help tocenter optic 210 within ring 212 until lens 200 becomes naturallyfixated within the eye. The construction of tab 216 and feature 218,allows the lens to be elongated and reduced in cross-section, asillustrated in FIG. 17, for implantation through a relative is small(2.4 mm or less) incision.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, lens 300 of the present inventiongenerally includes optic 310 and support ring 312. Optic 310 isconnected to support ring 312 by bridge 314. Tab 316 is attached tooptic 310 opposite bridge 314 so as to cooperate with correspondinglocating feature 318 on support ring 312. Locating feature 318 isintegrally molded with support ring 312 and in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, consists of ledge 320 and locking ridge322 projecting inwardly from support ring 312 and toward optic 310.

Optic 310 is of construction and materials similar to optic 110. Tab 316is also integrally formed with optic 310 opposite bridge 314.

When lens 300 is implanted in an eye, tab 316 and feature 318 help tocenter optic 310 within ring 312 until lens 300 becomes naturallyfixated within the eye. The construction of tab 316 and feature 318,allows the lens to be elongated and reduced in cross-section, asillustrated in FIG. 17, for implantation through a relative small (2.4mm or less) incision.

As best seen in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, lens 400 of the present inventiongenerally includes optic 410 and support ring 412. Optic 410 isconnected to support ring 412 by bridge 414. Tab 416 is attached tooptic 410 opposite bridge 414 so as to cooperate with correspondinglocating feature 418 on support ring 412. Locating feature 418 isintegrally molded with support ring 412 and in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, consists of ledge 420 having slot 422projecting inwardly from support ring 412 and toward optic 410.

Optic 410 is of construction and materials similar to optic 110. Tab 416is also integrally formed with optic 410 opposite bridge 414.

When lens 400 is implanted in an eye, tab 416 and feature 418 help tocenter optic 410 within ring 412 until lens 400 becomes naturallyfixated within the eye. The construction of tab 416 and feature 418,allows the lens to be elongated and reduced in cross-section, asillustrated in FIG. 17, for implantation through a relative small (2.4mm or less) incision. To insert tab 416 into slot 422 of feature 418,optic 410 may be manipulated so that bridge 414 is deformed, as shown inFIG. 7. Tab 416 can them be inserted into slot 422 and lens 400 returnedto its normal shape, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

As best seen in FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13, lens 500 of the presentinvention generally includes optic 510 and support ring 512. Optic 510is connected to support ring 512 by bridge 514. Tab 516 is attached tooptic 510 opposite bridge 514 so as to cooperate with correspondinglocating feature 518 on support ring 512. Locating feature 518 isintegrally molded with support ring 512 and in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, consists of ledge 520 having slot522 projecting inwardly from support ring 512 and toward optic 510.

Optic 510 is of construction and materials similar to optic 110. Tab 516is also integrally formed with optic 510 opposite bridge 514. Tab 516contains locking rim 517 or 517′ that cooperates with slot 522 infeature 518 to assist in locking tab 516 within feature 518.

When lens 500 is implanted in an eye, tab 516 and feature 518 help tocenter optic 510 within ring 512 until lens 500 becomes naturallyfixated within the eye. The construction of tab 516 and feature 518,allows the lens to be elongated and reduced in cross-section, asillustrated in FIG. 17, for implantation through a relative small (2.4mm or less) incision. Following implantation, tab 516 is inserted intoslot 522 in the manner described above. As best seen in FIG. 12, lockingrim 517 fits within slot 522 of feature 518 so as to assist in holdingtab 516 within feature 518. Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 13, lockingrim 517 can be flared so as to dovetail into slot 522 and provide a morepositive locking of tab 516 within feature 518. To insert tab rim 517into slot 522 of feature 518, optic 510 may be manipulated so thatbridge 514 is deformed, as shown in FIG. 10. Tab 516 can them beinserted into slot 522 and lens 500 returned to its normal shape, asillustrated in FIG. 11.

As best seen in FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17, lens 600 of the presentinvention generally includes optic 610 and support ring 612. Optic 610is connected to support ring 612 by bridge 614. Tab 616 is attached tooptic 610 opposite bridge 614 so as to cooperate with correspondinglocating feature 618 on support ring 612. Locating feature 618 isintegrally molded with support ring 612 and in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17, consists of channel 620 havingopen slot 622 projecting inwardly from support ring 612 and toward optic610.

Optic 610 is of construction and materials similar to optic 110. Tab 616is also integrally formed with optic 610 opposite bridge 614. Tab 616contains “T”-shaped locking rim 617 that cooperates with slot 622 infeature 618 to assist in locking tab 616 within feature 618.

When lens 600 is implanted in an eye, tab 616 and feature 618 help tocenter optic 610 within ring 612 until lens 600 becomes naturallyfixated within the eye. The construction of tab 616 and feature 618,allows the lens to be elongated and reduced in cross-section, asillustrated in FIG. 17, for implantation through a relative small (2.4mm or less) incision. Following implantation, tab 616 is inserted intoslot 622 in the manner described above. As best seen in FIG. 15, lockingrim 567 fits within slot 622 of feature 618 so as to assist in holdingtab 616 within feature 618. To insert tab rim 617 into slot 622 offeature 618, optic 610 may be manipulated so that bridge 614 isdeformed, as shown in FIG. 16. Rim 617 can them be inserted into slot622 and lens 600 returned to its normal shape, as illustrated in FIG.14.

This description is given for purposes of illustration and explanation.It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that changesand modifications may be made to the invention described above withoutdeparting from its scope or spirit.

1. An intraocular lens, comprising: a) a support ring; b) an opticconnected on one side by a bridge; c) a tab located on the opticopposite the bridge; and d) a locating feature on the support ring, thelocating future cooperating with the tab so as to center the opticwithin the support ring in an unstressed state.
 2. The lens of claim 1wherein the locating feature comprises a channel with a slot.
 3. Thelens of claim 1 wherein the locating feature comprises bumps orprotuberances projecting inwardly from the support ring and toward theoptic.
 4. The lens of claim 1 wherein the locating feature comprises aledge and a locking ridge.
 5. The lens of claim 1 wherein the locatingfeature comprises a ledge having a slot, the locating feature projectinginwardly from the support ring and toward the optic.
 6. The lens ofclaim 1 wherein the locating feature comprises a channel having an openslot, the channel projecting inwardly from the support ring and towardthe optic.
 7. An intraocular lens, comprising: a) a support ring; b) anoptic connected on one side by a bridge; c) a tab located on the supportring opposite the bridge; and d) a locating feature on the optic, thelocating future cooperating with the tab so as to center the opticwithin the support ring in an unstressed state.
 8. The lens of claim 7wherein the locating feature comprises bumps or protuberances projectinginwardly from the optic ring and toward the support ring.